Govt to withdraw radio stations licences

TENDAI MUSWERA IN CHIPINGE 

Government  will withdraw  operating licences for radio and television stations, whose projects will fail to take off the ground  within 18 months, a deputy minister has said.

The move signals government’s frustration by players to take off since it opened the airwaves two years ago in a development that was supposed to usher in plurality and diversity in the broadcasting sector.

In 2020, the government licensed six players to provide television services. It has also licensed community and campus radios.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services deputy minister, Kindness Paradza said an ultimatum has been issued to the licensed entities.

“All radio and TV licences have  been given to set up within 18 months, failure to which we will repossess our licence and give to those who are serious. We no longer want to entertain bloggers,” Paradza said.

He also gave a short list of some of the community radio stations that are to face fate soon if not aired before their deadline.

 “Mutepe Manama Community radio Trust (expiring September 4,  2023),Nyangani Community radio Trust , Ndau Community radio station (expiring July 6,2023), Chimanimani Community Radio Trust (July 14, 2023).

“All of their licences will be repossessed,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Association of Community  Radio Stations (ZACRAS) acting national coordinator, Mlondolosi Ndlovu told Business Times: “As  ZACRAS, we hope the ministry conditions will be friendly to allow for advertising and provision for the funding of community radio stations from the Diaspora.

“We believe that advertising is the life blood of the media and any other attempts to actually deny the media advertising will actually destroy them.”